What is her favorite thing to do?"Read her Bible, write on the blog, play…"Elijah said more specifically, “play Mario cart Wii!”Keona said, “Be with us.”

Ok, that makes up for the laundry comment.

What does your mommy do when you're not around?

Apparently when they’re not around, I…“Rest, write on the blog, talk on the phone, play Scrabble with Dad…”

Elijah is the only one who realizes that our house doesn’t magically clean itself at night when they’re in bed. He said, “Cleans.”

If your mommy becomes famous, what will it be for?

”Working in an orphanage.”Ha…thanks Charity.I also got, “Teaching, art, and ‘I don’t know’…”

What is your mommy really good at?

Three “Mario Carts” and two “Scrabbles”

Good thing they weren’t there to see me lose by 80 points to Scott the other night!

What is your mommy not very good at?Keona said, “She’s not very good at being not being good.”Thanks, I think…?

The others mentioned almost every other Wii game we own… :S

What does your mommy do for a job?Elijah says, “nothing”I think he forgot about the whole cleaning thing….

“Teaches us, and watches kids”

What is your mommy's favorite food?

Two “Lasagnas”One “mashed potatoes”A “pepper” ???

and “apples"

What makes your mommy proud of you?“When we do good on tests” and “When we behave”Though Eve said, “When I put Ella to sleep” more about that on another blog…

If your mommy were a cartoon character, who would she be?This stumped them all. “Ariel and Belle” ha!Keona said, “She would never be a cartoon character. Just a Mom”She knows me.

What do you and your mommy do together?“Play Mario Cart Wii, play Scrabble, cuddle, read the Bible, and talk.”

How are you and your mommy the same?“Skin colour” –Prayer“We are both funny.” –Keona (really???)“We both have brown hair” –Charity“We both like Mario Cart.” –Elijah (I see a theme…)“We both like lasagna!” –Eve (That’s my girl!)

How are you and your mommy different?

“I’m a boy and she’s a girl.” –Elijah“Teeth” –Prayer (??)“I like wiggling my teeth, she doesn’t.” –Charity“I don’t like beans, she does.” – Eve“She’s serious, I’m not.” –Keona (Wait a minute… I thought I was funny!)

How do you know your mommy loves you?A unanimous “She says so.”

What does your mommy like most about your daddy?“He’s handsome” –Elijah“He’s bold.” –Prayer and Eve“His beard.” –Charity“Everything.” -Keona

Where is your mommy's favorite place to go?“CN Tower, the Brookes’, PEI, the zoo.”

The zoo?? They said “Mommy’s” favourite place...

“She doesn’t have a favourite place.” -Keona

The five oldest singing for the seniors.

Jed snuck up there after I refused to take the spider he picked up off the floor.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. Normally, you can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing. This week however, we are doing our Not Me's in honour of her little "MckMuffin" who is in the hospital with a serious heart condition.

My children have not been asking me to check for "Stellan updates" before they even ask for breakfast every morning.

I have not been googling medical terms, so that I can better understand what's going on with little Stellan's heart.

Stellan has not become a regular topic at our dinner table. And friends have notbeen asking me how I "know" him. I have not had to explain that, though I pray for this little guy and love him like I "know him"... we've never met him, or his family.

Lastly, we have not spent everyday praying for sweet little Stellan, and his amazing, MckMama.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Lately it’s been dark. Time has dropped away. Days have passed so quickly. It seems like a week begins about to end. And yet, it’s so dark, and things seem so lifeless as we gaze the horizon. Death literally surrounds us. We see cold, colourless, dried out, and lifeless nature, just waiting for a glimpse of hope.

Though we seem to find our world cold and though we seem to find our world dark, yet one must remember without these seemingly dreary times, comfort would lose its value. The warmth of the rest to come, and the time to enjoy it, seem like an incredible treasure simply because these days are so dark.

It is time for hope. Realize that on the coming horizon is not a dreary day, neither a tear filled night, but rather comforts of the reality of light. The darkness shall turn to bright light. The sickness shall turn to a deep breath of clean fresh air, scented with the glaze of fresh flowers blooming nearby.

Our uphill climb is but for a moment, to be soon replaced by a basking in the sun. Be comforted today with the reality of the future: hope.

Looking for that blessed hope,

and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;

Friday, March 27, 2009

I don't know how I am supposed to write- following Scott's post that is. We all know that he's the writer in the family. It's just more convenient for me to 'journal' about daily happenings. Though, I would never keep up with a journal... but because I like pictures so much, blogging is perfect!

I told Keona to find an old picture of herself that I could scan and use for today's post. She came to me with an album and said, "I can't believe how much I look like Ella!" We all keep saying how much Ella resembles Keona, but I don't think I even realized how much until I was looking at these pictures today... Keona is a few months older in this picture than Ella is now. Therefore, having a bit more hair. (Why have all my girls been so bald!?!?)

Well, you be the judge...

She brought that doll "Amen" everywhere! Along with baby Anya, who disappeared a few years ago never to be seen again... and Caillou, who is lost in the bottomless pit also known as- our basement.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

This is me and my youngest daughter. I was taking pictures of all my other kids while she was sitting on my lap. So I decided to take one of us. She grabbed my face and mushed it into hers just as I was taking the picture.

Head on over to iHeartFaces to see other self-portraits with children!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Beauty, so it is said, is in the eye of the beholder. It is one of those relative things in life that each one enjoys differently.

Some could stare at the simplest thing for hours. For it is in beauty we recall comforts of the past, fuel our fulfilling passion for the present, and define revelations of the future.

What is the most beautiful thing you can imagine? What is your standard for beautiful?

This past Saturday our family was able to minister to a small group of senior citizens at a nursing home near our church. It’s an amazing thing to see the love of our children grow over the last few months of this year. When we first visited back at Christmas time, our children sang “Away in a manger” for the people who attended. Our beautiful little people became instant celebrities to these sweet folk.

As we began to explain to the kids the amazing power they had to give joy to these kind older people, they found joyous purpose in their new ministry. Selfless acts of encouragement, coupled with sweet spirit and smile, and topped with a message that gives hope, have all made our little servant singers into one of the most beautiful things a father could ever see: a blessing to others.

As I scanned the horizon of a room full of twilit lives, there was a flicker of a new light shining from the glorious faces of my most beautiful thought, my most precious wife and children.

Monday, March 23, 2009

I won't be posting my Not Me's ...as "Mck Mama" (the creator of "Not Me! Monday") is in the hospital right now with her baby, Stellan. He's in PICU with SVT. His heart rate was at 300bpm this morning. I'd ask that anyone who reads this, please pray for him and the whole family- as the kids and I have been doing all morning.

Friday, March 20, 2009

As an assignment for speech class, Scott had to pick someone who is alive, to write a eulogy for... a tribute to. He picked his Grandma.

A picture that Keona took of "Oma" a few Sundays ago between church services.

“Danny.. Danny.”

“What Mom?”

“Danny, I'm going to Heaven next Sunday night, and I want you to come and see.”

“Huh?”

“I'm in a play at church next Sunday. I'm going to heaven. Will you come and watch me?”

Grace. I owe SO much to Grace.

On August 19th, 1931 my sweet little Grandma Grace was born in London Ontario. Eventually settling on a farm in Campbellford Ontario; where she raised 6 very loved children. Today after much strife as a single mother, fighting poverty and just about everything else the world could hurl, 17 great grandchildren look to her for leadership. She is our patriarch. Grace is our lovely queen.

Most could never imagine the incredible burdens my Grandma held in check each day. Yet she always shone with a cheer and delight. She has never had much, and yet she has always found a way to give far more than asked.

She has an interesting way of looking at things. I can recall, as an 8 year old child, an object lesson. My sister and I were fighting, loudly, as usual. Then, in comes Grandma Grace with a broom and begins to swing it around batting the empty air yelling "Get out! Get out!" She would beat this invisible beast towards the exit, and then, as she opened the door, would make one final swing to hit him outside. "Get OUT!" She yelled, as she slammed the door shut and turned to look at us. My sister and I sat silent....

"Grandma are you okay?""I'm just getting that old devil outta here." She replied.

At the end of the 1970's, Grandma Grace and her two youngest sons moved to Victoria British Columbia on the west coast of Canada. Having trusted Christ several years before at an old church in Campbellford, she sought far and wide to find a church to attend in Victoria BC. As a testimony to her sincerity, she found Capitol City Baptist church, a small Independent Baptist work Pastored by an old Texan. That church began praying for my family, just as I was about to enter into this world. In 1980, my parents followed Grandma Grace to Victoria.

It was an answer to prayer.

She tried again and again to win my father to Christ. He was a hard man. Most would have considered him beyond saving. But not his loving mother. In spite of the curses, hard looks, threats and tears, she pressed him to trust Christ. After months of prayer she tried once again to get Danny to church.

“Danny, will you come watch me go to heaven in a play next Sunday?”“We'll see,” was the response.

But something miraculous happened that next Sunday in my father's heart. He got my mother up, bundled his 8 month old son, and surprised Grandma Grace by showing up for church that cold December morning. That morning my mother and father walked the aisle and trusted Jesus Christ as Saviour.

I owe so much to Grace.Oma with 5 of our kids, just after Jeddy was born in October 2006.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Just don't look too closely- or you'll see all the flaws...Please ignore the fact that I forgot to change my white balance when I came inside and this picture is kind of messed up... it's my only one.

I learned alot making this cake. Now (after recovering) I can't wait to try another one!

Just don't tell Scott. I thought he was going to have a heart attack when he saw the counter mess...

Miss. Party Planner herself looking gorgeous, as-per-usual!

The three sisters

They played the "guess how big her belly is" game, and the kids were the only ones even coming close. They took home all the prizes!

I had to take a picture of Meg with her very full plate of dessert. I don't blame her at all...I miss being pregnant for the simple fact that I can get away with eating whatever I want. :P

Keona on the other hand, is not pregnant... but ate like she was, and had a sugar induced stomach ache. Aunty KK took her outside for some air and water. Lots and lots of water...

All the girls who planned the shower. They did an awesome job! I love Alex's "thrifty-ness"- I got my pair of dollar store oven mitts. ;) Even though they were one dollar, per mitt...?They were so sweet together. I loved it when Polly said, "My baby!"

Monday, March 16, 2009

We don't have Scott here much during the week. In fact, Jeddy often asks, "Daddy coming over?" As if Scott just visits. Sad but true... Thankfully, the school year is almost over and then he'll be home every day and only gone 4 nights a week! All that to say- we love weekend mornings when Dad's home.

Friday morning we were all sitting together in the living room reading our Bibles, (while I baked 6 cakes, 2 macaroni salads and 2 dozen rolls! I hate cooking... but I love baking!) and we look over to see Charity sitting there with the 4 inch "Vine's Dictionary and Concordance." She was looking up a word to explain the meaning to Elijah.

After lunch, we left Scott at home to finish his papers for school. (That's the only way our house gets quiet enough to concentrate...) We spent the afternoon at my Mom's visiting with Great-grandpa, Lea, Aunty Karen and Kels. Grandma, Grandpa and Robbie too, of course! :P

Jeddy had a little accident and had to borrow Robbie's clothes

The kids ran around playing S-P-Y all day.

"Adults are enemies! Attack them by cutting off their heat source! Close all the vents!"

My poor Mom...

Ella has learned to close her eyes when she sees the camera now. Cute...but annoying. :)

We headed home around 8pm and it was time to make the cake. Putting all 7 pounds of butter cream icing to use.

Originally, we were going to order a cake from a friend. Here is the problem with chatting through IM's. My sister and I had the following conversation while looking at pictures of fondant cakes.

Me: So which one do you like

Sarah: Oooh! They're all so nice! Let's try to make one!

Me: That sounds like fun! Yeah, we could do it together!

Sarah: Yay! I can't wait!!

What I failed to understand, was that she wanted to make a cake at some point. Not specifically for the baby shower. Well, me being all excited and up for the challenge- I had already gone out and bought everything to do it! Ha...days later she was like, "Huh? We're making the cake???" Yep... we're making the cake, cause I already cancelled the order and bought everything to make it. Really... I'm making the cake... I guess.

So here's what my counter looked like at 1am on Friday night....actually it was Saturday morning. You can see the bottom tier of the cake.

I actually cleaned it all up before watching a movie with Scott until 3:30am...and going to bed only to get up again in 4 hours. We saran wrapped the cake and put it in the oven. After the whole Muffin incident... I didn't want to risk the cake! We did put a big "CAKE!!!!" sign on the stove, because forgetting and turning it on- is just something I would do. You'll be relieved to hear that the cake survived and made it to the shower in three pieces....

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Last week was great! The weather was horrible and we didn't get to do any of the outdoor things that we planned- but we had a wonderful time. We played Wii alot a little, we baked together, and coloured together, and visited with Grandma quite a bit! Now, I did not take advantage of the fact that Keona and the girls can now carry around, feed, and play with Ella... and I certainly did not sleep in while they were doing just that. My wonderful March break has nothing to do with the fact that I got to sleep in everyday once or twice...

Last night when we got home from church, Scott and I cleaned up and prepared for the week like responsible adults. We sat and chatted over tea... but after that... we did not stay up until midnight playing Mario Cart Wii trying to unlock things. We bought the Wii for the kids!

Lastly, I am not about to post a completely unrelated picture, just because...

Thursday, March 12, 2009

I had such a wonderfully peaceful sleep last night. I woke up to my girls reading silently in their beds. My little angel, Ella, was quietly playing with her toys. Elijah was being a perfect big brother and reading Jeddy's favourite book to him.

I wish.

In reality, I woke up to Ella screaming, the girls sleeping, Elijah down in the basement playing lego and Jeddy....

Well, this is what happens when you leave a two year old unattended with a box full of muffins.

Oh yeah, and he decided to paint our front door mat with my brand new concealer.

After breakfast, my little darling had the nerve to ask for a "mutton?" (muffin- incase you don't understand his dialect of the English language)

To which Keona explains, "No, you don't want 'mutton'. Mutton comes from sheep."

Jed quickly and sternly replied, "No! Mutton come from Randma!"

Thanks for the muffins by the way Mom. ;)

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Keona and I spent most of the afternoon making marshmallow fondant for the cake I'm attempting to create for the baby shower this weekend. She was convinced that it was play-doh. Until I let her taste some... Much, much better than play-doh. Not that I would know from personal experience...

We also whipped up 7 pounds of buttercream icing. I'm not sure that I'll need that much, but I figured better safe than sorry. Ok, better really safe...

This is my first time making a tiered, or fondant cake. Why not throw them both together and make it 3 tiers just for fun! I'm praying it turns out as planned. Or I'll be making an early morning trip to Costco...

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Oooh, and I finished the dress for Keona! I actually finished it a while ago and just didn't get around to taking pictures. I made tiered skirts for the triplets too... but they were way too hyper and not co-operating for a decent picture.

There are definitely a few things I will do differently next time. She's happy with it though, because most importantly... it twirls when she spins!

Apparently, it acts as a parachute as well when she 'isn't' jumping down the stairs...

I wonder where she gets that from?

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Did I mention that Scott and I celebrated our 9th anniversary this week? We did! We totally planned on getting a nice picture of the two of us all dressed up while we were out.... we forgot... until we were parked at home. So here's our best shot... I think the car mirror blocked my flash.

I can't believe it has been 9 years already! I'm so blessed to be married to my best friend.